Audi will enter Formula One in 2026 as the sport’s first new power unit supplier in over a decade.
An announcement made on Friday morning at the Belgian Grand Prix confirmed a much-rumoured entry with fellow German marque Porsche also tipped to link up with a team.
Not since Honda in 2015 has a new engine supplier signed up to F1, a return to the sport that proved short-lived with the Japanese manufacturer having since departed and handed over their power units to be officially rebadged by Red Bull.
Sauber, currently operating under the Alfa Romeo name as part of a link-up with Ferrari, are reportedly set to take the Audi power units in an agreement to be announced later this year.
Rumor has it: Rings are the new stars: Audi joins @F1 in 2026.
— Audi Sport (@audisport) August 26, 2022
>> https://t.co/3IDm5zKGIH#Audi #F1 #Formula1 #team #news #automotive #FutureIsAnAttitude pic.twitter.com/N7w7uEPTAU
“I am delighted to welcome Audi to Formula 1, an iconic automotive brand, pioneer and technological innovator,” said F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali.
“This is a major moment for our sport that highlights the huge strength we have as a global platform that continues to grow.
“It is also a big recognition that our move to sustainably fuelled hybrid engines in 2026 is a future solution for the automotive sector. We are all looking forward to seeing the Audi logo on the grid and will be hearing further details from them on their plans in due course.”
A new set of regulations are scheduled to come into effect in 2026, increasing the power supply of the MGU-K electrical energy recovered under braking with the MGU-H removed.
